Strawberry plant named &#39;DrisStrawThirtyNine&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ particularly characterized by a fully everbearing plant having conic shaped fruit and resistance to Verticillium wilt is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietydesignated ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ and botanically known asFragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Kent,United Kingdom in August 2007 and originated from a cross between theproprietary female parent ‘Ophelia’ (unpatented) and the proprietarymale parent ‘KGEM 93’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected forasexual propagation via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Kent,United Kingdom in 2007.

‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ underwent further testing in Kent, United Kingdomfor six years (2007-2012). The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexualpropagations via stolons and tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date ofthis application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Kent, United Kingdom.

1. Fully everbearing plant;

2. Conic shaped fruit; and

3. Resistance to Verticillium wilt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as trueas can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.The photographs were taken from five to six-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant withthree leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows both upper and lower surfaces of the flowers.

FIG. 3 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 4 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

FIG. 5 shows the whole plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Kent, United Kingdomfrom 2007 to 2012. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ was taken from five tosix-month-old plants. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant IdentificationTerminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harrisand Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘Ophelia’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘KGEM 93’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—40.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—58.7 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—3.        -   Habit.—Globose — semi-upright.        -   Density of individual plant.—Medium.        -   Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).—Medium.-   Terminal leaflets:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Length: 9.56 cm Width: 8.39 cm Length/width            ratio: 1.1 (Longer than broad).        -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—25.        -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N137B (Medium green) Lower            surface: RHS 137C (Medium green).        -   Shape in cross section.—Flat — straight.        -   Blistering.—Medium.        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Base shape.—Obtuse.        -   Apex descriptor.—Convex.        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Margin profile.—Revolute.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Medium; 23.7 mm.        -   Diameter.—4.83 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Pose of hairs.—Slightly upwards.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Bract frequency.—0.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—14.82 nun.        -   Diameter.—2.84 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 144C (Medium yellow-green).-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—3.2 cm.        -   Width.—10.75 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Medium; RHS 47C (Medium            red).-   Stolon:    -   -   Number.—Many.        -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—7.        -   Stolon anthocyanin.—Absent or very weak; RHS 144B (Medium            yellow-green).        -   Diameter at bract.—4.10 mm.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Beneath.        -   Number of flowers.—Medium.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium.        -   Flower size.—Medium.        -   Diameter.—28.91 mm.        -   Petals.—Shape: Orbicular Apex: Rounded Base: Concavo-convex            Margin: Entire Spacing: Overlapping Length: 12.96 mm Width:            12.87 mm Length/width ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad) Petal            number per flower: 5 Color (upper surface): RHS 155B            (White).        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 24.63 mm Diameter relative to corolla:            Smaller Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size            Insertion of calyx: Level Pose of calyx segments: Spreading            to outwards Size of calyx in relation to fruit: Same size            Adherence of calyx: Medium.        -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical Apex: Convex Margin: Entire Length:            9.24 mm Width: 4.95 mm Sepal number: 10.        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 151B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 153D (Medium            yellow-green).        -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Length.—Medium; 37.4 cm.        -   Diameter at base of truss.—4.9 mm.        -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—13.        -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.        -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Relative fruit sizer.—Medium.        -   Length.—36.24 mm.        -   Width.—36.46 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.0 (As long as broad).        -   Fruit hollow length.—26.70 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—15.15 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.8 (Much longer than            broad).        -   Fruit hollow center (cavity).—Small.        -   Weight (per individual berry).—18.1 g.        -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruits.—None or very slight.        -   Evenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 45A (Medium red).        -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit glossiness.—Medium.        -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface Coloration            (sunward side of berry): RHS N170B (Medium greyed-orange)            Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS N170B (Medium            greyed-orange) Number per berry: 296 Weight (weight of            achenes divided by total # seed): 0.6 mg Width of band            without achenes: Narrow.        -   Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Medium.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 40A (Medium red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 40C (Light red).        -   Evenness of flesh color.—Even.        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Sweetness.—Medium.        -   Acidity.—Weak.        -   Texture when tasted.—Fine.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully everbearing-fully remontant.        -   Grams of fruit/plant.—1200.0 g.        -   Harvest interval.—Late June-early October.        -   Harvest maturity.—Mid-season.-   Disease and pest resistance:    -   -   Botrytis fruit rot.—Moderately resistant.        -   Powdery mildew.—Moderately resitant.        -   Verticillium wilt.—Resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ is compared to the female parent ‘Ophelia’(unpatented), ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has, higher yields, a higherpercentage of Class 1 fruit, and better flavor and shelf life than‘Ophelia’.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ is compared to the male parent ‘KGEM 93’(unpatented), ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ is fully everbearing, whereas ‘KGEM93’ is not everbearing.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ is compared to the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,878), ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has aglobose habit, medium leaf blistering, an obtuse terminal leaflet base,and inflorescence positioned beneath the foliage, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwo’has a flat globose habit, strong leaf blistering, a rounded terminalleaflet base, and inflorescence positioned above the foliage.Additionally, ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has fruit with medium glossiness anda narrow band without achenes, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwo’ has fruit that isstrongly glossy with a medium band without achenes.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ is compared to the commercial variety‘Driscoll Camarillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,771), ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’has leaves that are flat in cross section with medium blistering, anobtuse base and inflorescence positioned beneath the foliage, whereas‘Driscoll Camarillo’ has leaves that are concave in cross section withvery strong blistering, a rounded base and inflorescence positionedabove the foliage. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ has conicalshaped fruit with medium glossiness, whereas ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ hascordate shaped fruit that is strongly glossy.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawThirtyNine’ as described and shown herein.